A 17-year-old Moberly resident is facing three felony theft charges after being apprehended while trying to steal a wallet from a car on Woodland Street on Tuesday night (July 2).

Per Kenna Neese, Commander with the Moberly Police Department, and confirmed by online court records, teenager Shane Thomas Newcomb is facing three class C felony counts of theft/stealing (value of property or services $500 or more, but less than $25,000).

“On July 2, 2013, Moberly Police responded to the 400 block of Woodland in regards to a male subject stealing a wallet out of a vehicle,” Neese said, in a prepared statement. “The male subject then fled the area and officers were able to locate the subject in the area of Bertley and Rollins.”

Neese noted that “Newcomb was found to be involved in several thefts from vehicles in the Moberly Area,” and that “the investigation [into the matter] continues with the possibility of more charges being filed [at a later date].”

“We have other similar events that have taken place that we’re trying to investigate,” Moberly Police Chief Russ Tarr told the MMI on Friday morning. Tarr noted that there were several incident within the “last few weeks” where “property [had been] stolen out of vehicles.” Not items were specifically targeted in these instances, he said.

Newcomb’s bond was set at $10,000. He has yet to pay such, as inmate records show that he is currently residing within the Randolph County Justice Center.

“The charges for which the individual was arrested for are mere accusations and not evidence of guilt,” Neese advised. “Evidence and support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.”

Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Fusselman filed Newcomb’s charges. The warrant for his arrest was issued by Judge Cynthia Suter.